Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal claimed the club's fans should think about what they chant after his side struggled to a 2-0 win against West Brom.

United dominated possession against Albion but had to wait until the 52nd minute to break the deadlock through Jesse Lingard shortly after supporters chanted 'attack, attack, attack' with Juan Mata adding a late second penalty.

Van Gaal said: 'I know the feeling of the fans. We have to attack better against this defensive organisations but it is the most difficult way you can play as a team.

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Jesse Lingard curls in his first goal for Manchester United, their first goal in three league games

Manager Louis van Gaal waves to fans before Saturday's game against West Brom at Old Trafford

Lingard's effort flies past Dawson and Evans and past Myhill in the West Brom goal to break the deadlock

'I am always pleased with the crowd and you have to accept fans have their own opinion, but I think they were very influenced by Paul Scholes and all the criticism that the media has written about.

'But they also have to analyse the game. When you are yelling 'attack, attack, attack' and you attack for 85 minutes, you have to think as a fan, is it alright to yell that.

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'They want us to know we have to score. My mother knows that and my grandmother knows that. Goals are always the most Important thing.'

United maintained their grip on fourth place with the victory, and young midfielder Lingard was a thorn in West Brom's side all afternoon, getting his just reward with a first United goal

Gareth McAuley brings down Anthony Martial, for which the West Brom defender was shown a red card

Juan Mata added a stoppage-time penalty after McAuley had been sent off for bringing down Martial

'I put him in the line-up in the first game against Swansea City last season at home because he had impressed me already, but then he had a very heavy injury in that game so he needed to rehabilitate and that takes a long time,' Van Gaal said.

'But I said in the beginning of the season I wanted to keep him and he had to wait for the moment that he was in better shape than his companions for the same position and since then he is playing I think he is playing very well.'

Van Gaal also believes other teams will think twice about parking the bus at Old Trafford now they have seen United dismantle a very rigid and defensive West Brom side.

'It is good we have won because the next manager shall not choose so easily this strategy,' he said.